A TORRENTIAL first-quarter downpour did not dampen the Saturday night festivities for the Brisbane Lions, who ran out 33-point winners over a lacklustre Sydney Swans at the Gabba.

The Lions led from the start in wet and greasy conditions, kicking 15.10 (100) to the Swans' 9.13 (67) to register their first win over the Swans since 2004.

A six-goal to three second quarter set up what was a match-winning lead for the home team after the Lions held a handy 20-point buffer at quarter time.

The Swans held their own in a dour second half but the result was never in doubt, with the Lions showing more polish and commitment from the opening bounce.

Lions captain Jonathan Brown was on song early, kicking three goals in the first half before ending with four for the match. His long-time forward line partner Daniel Bradshaw also kicked four, with Justin Sherman capping a valuable performance with three majors. 

However it was Jed Adcock that best typified the Lions' approach, particularly in the first half. The onballer's 25 disposals were valuable, but his 12 tackles demonstrated the superior intensity and pressure that brought the premiership points home to the Gabba.

Josh Drummond also shone with precise ball use, and Joel Patfull's influence could not be discounted. His brilliant blanketing of Swans star Adam Goodes shut the Brownlow Medallist out of the game.

Good news was hard to find for the Swans, who lost expert run-with player Jared Crouch early in the second quarter with a hamstring injury. Crouch left the field immediately and took no further part in the game.

His direct opponent, Travis Johnstone, appreciated the freedom immediately setting up majors for Brown and Sherman during a run of five goals in a row that effectively ended the match as a contest.

Barry Hall, in doubt before the game with a groin injury sustained in last week's victory over Hawthorn, kicked three goals for the Swans.

Young Swan Brett Meredith showed some class in just his second AFL game, setting up several attacking forays with penetrating kicks and managing one booming goal.

One concern for the Lions will be the fitness of big man Matthew Leuenberger. The ruckman clutched at his left knee following a contest in the first quarter and was taken from the field for assessment. Leuenberger returned soon after but again spent time in the hands of the trainers in the last term.

In between times, he competed in an intriguing battle with Swans ruckman Darren Jolly, who ended the match with two goals.

The Lions’ boom draftee Daniel Rich gave another telling, if less conspicuous, contribution and iced the home team’s cake with a last-quarter goal -- the first of what is promising to be an illustrious career at the highest level.

Brisbane Lions 4.4  10.6  12.9  15.10 (100)
Sydney Swans   1.2  4.5  7.10  9.13 (67)

GOALS
Brisbane Lions: Brown 4, Bradshaw 4, Sherman 3, Rich, Drummond, Notting , Adcock.
Sydney Swans: Hall 3, Jolly 2, White, Meredith, Barlow, Moore.

BEST
Brisbane Lions: Patfull, Drummond, Brown, Selwood, Adcock, Macdonald
Sydney Swans: Bolton, Bevan, Shaw, Jack, Jolly, Hall

INJURIES
Brisbane Lions: Leuenberger (knee)
Sydney Swans: Crouch (hamstring)

Reports: Nil
Umpires: H.Ryan, S.Meredith, S.McInerney
Crowd: 24, 984 at the Gabba

The views expressed in this article are not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL